Nexus Europa — Jun 12, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

EU to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, UN reports high civilian casualties, China denies training Russian troops

The EU will formally open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15. Meanwhile, the UN reported the highest civilian casualties in Ukraine since April 2022, and EU intelligence confirmed China trained Russian military personnel.

The European Union is set to formally commence accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15, launching the initial "Foundations" cluster. This stage will address areas such as rule of law, public administration reform, and democratic governance, as confirmed by the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council. Concurrently, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported a significant increase in civilian casualties for May 2026, documenting 274 fatalities and 1,763 injuries, marking the highest monthly toll since April 2022. Separately, EU intelligence services have confirmed reports that China provided training to Russian military personnel on its territory, some of whom were later deployed to Ukraine, claims Beijing has consistently denied.

Sources: Громадське, Українська правда, Радіо Свобода

US Justice Department approves Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery

The US Department of Justice has approved Paramount Skydance's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, concluding an eight-month antitrust review. The department stated the merger was "not likely to harm competition or American consumers."

The US Department of Justice has approved the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery by Paramount Skydance, paving the way for the creation of a new media and cinema giant. The $111 billion merger received authorization on Friday, June 12, after an eight-month antitrust investigation. The Justice Department's antitrust division concluded that the transaction was "not likely to harm competition or American consumers," thereby allowing the conglomerate Paramount Skydance to proceed with its purchase of the Hollywood studio. This decision marks a significant development in the entertainment industry, consolidating major film and television assets under one umbrella.

Sources: Le Monde — International